GPs have been advised to try not to hug their patients as this could land them in medico-legal hot water.

The Medical Defence Union, which issued its advice ahead of Valentine's Day, said doctor members had asked whether it was ever acceptable to give or receive a hug from a patient.

In response, MDU medico-legal adviser Dr Ellie Mein suggested GPs would have to make their judgement based on the situation but be generally wary of physical contact.

She said: 'Doctors must be able to comfort and show human compassion to their patients, but physical contact can easily be misinterpreted, particularly if coupled with other words or actions the patient may feel are inappropriate. This can trigger a complaint or even lead to an investigation by the GMC or the police.'

However she added that if the patient had initiated the hug it could 'be difficult for the doctor to know what to do, especially if the patient is upset'.

She said: 'Doctors will need to make a judgement based on the situation and their knowledge of the patient. Other factors, such as the gender and age of the doctor and the patient, also need to be weighed up.

'This is an area that is potentially fraught with problems and it may be better for doctors to err on the side of caution. Even though hugs are meant to comfort a patient, they can be misconstrued and may be best avoided. Offering a patient your hand instead, for example can avoid embarrassment or accusations of unprofessionalism.'